Preparing for Your Best Postpartum
Are you a new mom or dad? Do you feel that you have had a lot of support and encouragement during pregnancy, but not so much after baby gets here? A lot of couples can feel this way. It is easy to focus on preparing for the child's arrival, and not so much on how we can continue to care for ourselves after the birth. If only there were more education and support available during this exciting yet challenging time.
Enter in...
Pillars of a Healthy Pregnancy- Healthy Postpartum Life.
This month Aliena Davis of Precision Chiropractic will be hosting one of her ongoing events on how to
prepare for a healthy postpartum experience. Joining her will be Barbara, the wonderful doula of Birth Fort Worth, and yours truly. These women have so much to offer to the new moms and dads in Fort Worth, and I am so excited to be partnering with them for this class.
Proper nutrition, herbs, emotional guidance, and pelvis alignment can help parents survive during this time of transition.
Let's Talk Nutrition & Herbs
(because that's what I do)
How can we use foods to ease the transition into parenthood?
Just like anytime in our lives, the food that we eat can allow us maintain energy levels, stay focused, stabilize our mood, help us get restful sleep (as much as possible with new baby), and support our body to function to its fullest.
Focus on consuming nutrient dense foods during this time. Here are a few superstars:
1. Bone Broth
Bone broth is full of minerals, protein, and collagen. It can not only increase brain function (woo-hoo, to no foggy thinking), but it also contains the amino acids that aid in wound healing (this can be helpful after a c-section, or perineal tearing.) If making your own bone broth seems out of the question at this time, there are now lots of great pre-made items available. Look for bone broths in the freezer or a bone broth protein powder.
2. Leafy Greens
Mother always said to eat your vegetables for a reason.
Dark green vegetables such a kale, spinach, and chard are full of calcium, this can be especially important for mama's that need help with breast milk production. They also are a good source of iron, which moms can often need a little extra of after child birth. Busy (or tired) parents can utilize any of the multitude of green powder selections on the market. Ask someone at your local health food store for a high quality product.
3. Cultured Foods
Fermented foods provide us with probiotics that can improve our digestion, immune system, mood, and reduce our chances for diseases. We develop most of our gut microbiome before the age of 5, therefore it is extremely important for babies to be taking this in now. If you are a breast feeding mama be sure to add in lots of cultured foods (kimchi, sourkraut, keifer, kombucha) to not only nourish baby, but also to strengthen your immune and digestive system. If you are not breastfeeding, powder probiotics are available and can be added to baby's formula. Many health food stores now carry traditionally fermented foods that have not been pasteurized in the refrigerator section. Probiotics in capsule form are also a suitable choice for parents.
4. Healthy Fats
Fats such as avocados, coconut oil, animal fats, olives, nuts etc. are crucial during the postpartum transition. These fats can help increase breast milk production, stabilize blood sugar to increase energy, make you feel satiated, and help to balance out your hormones. Do not shy away or be afraid of these fats. Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon, of the Weston A. Price Foundation even recommend taking 1-2 tsp of coconut oil before every meal in their book Eat Fat, Lose Fat.
Many parents may need a little extra support during this exciting time in their lives. It is not uncommon for the stresses of parenthood to be a bit too much to handle on your own. Hormones and mood levels can all be balanced naturally using lifestyle skills, food, and herbs that are safe for new parents and baby. If you feel that you could benefit from extra assistance during this transition please contact me to set up a consultation.
If you want to learn more about how you can prepare for your best postpartum experience be sure to join us Friday, February 16, 2018 from 10:00- 11:00 at Waterside in Fort Worth
References:
https://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/breast_feeding_p.htm
http://www.fittritious.com/mineral-rich-bone-broth-for-pregnancy-postpartum-recovery/
https://www.birthbootcamp.com/10-nutritious-foods-pregnancy-postpartum/
"Eat Fat, Lose Fat" by Dr Mary Enig and Sally Fallon
"Let Them Eat Dirt" by Brett Finlay, and Marie-Claire Arrieta